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Hulu
Taylor Frankie Paul's "Bachelorette" Season PULLED!
Cancellation Prompted by 2023 Video Airing
From Deadline
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Taylor Frankie Paul's turn as the star of The Bachelorette has come to a screeching halt after ABC opted to shelve the premiere.
The reality dating series was supposed to feature the star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, but after allegations of a domestic violence incident and a video from a 2023 incident in which she is seen physically attacking her ex, the network pulled the show.
"In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family," Disney noted in a statement.
Following the news that the reality series would not air as planned, Paul's suitors have taken to social media to share their reactions.
- Doug Mason shared on his Instagram Stories, "In light of everything that's happened, I'm just sending out prayers to Taylor because that was her moment and her moment was blocked. All we can do right now is be hopeful. Let's stay positive and show nothing but support for people in need."
- Malik Evans also
took to Instagram Stories and wrote, "I'm doing okay. Hope to share more soon. Thank you to everyone who has reached out."
- Matthew Carroll reposted a video which shared the news of the momentary cancelation and added, "On pause for now. Thank you for everyone's support and thoughtful messages."
- Johnnie LaRossa said, "Appreciate everyone reaching out. Grateful for the experience. I've gotta say the group of guys were truly unbelievable. Nothing but respect for them. Love you boys, and any woman would be lucky to have each and every one of them!" Clayton Johnson wrote, "I can honestly say this was one of the best groups of men I've ever been around. So much integrity, respect and heart across the board. Even the tough moments never took away from that. Any woman would be lucky to be with any of these guys."
So far, ABC hasn't said whether Season 22 of The Bachelorette will ever see the light of day.
Deadline reports that Disney even yanked the first episode off its press screening site around midday Thursday as the internal decision was made to pause this season's rollout.
A spokesperson for Paul says in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, "Taylor is very grateful for ABC's support as she prioritizes her family's safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm."
"There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story."
This follows a bad 12 months for The Bachelor franchise after it parked The Bachelorette last season and fired the franchise's two top showrunners for their part in a "toxic" workplace. This was meant to be a triumphant return for the female-led version of the stalwart series, this time featuring a famous face from another popular Disney reality franchise, Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
News broke earlier this week that filming had paused on Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives due to a domestic assault investigation involving Paul and Dakota Mortensen. Both are regularly featured on the reality show, and very often their tumultuous relationship is on full display, particularly in Season 4, which filmed in the fall.
A video that surfaced Thursday shows Paul, in 2023, repeatedly trying to physically attack Mortensen and throwing several metal barstools at him while a child is present, an incident that eventually led Paul to plead guilty to aggravated assault. Draper City Police Department confirmed that there is an open "domestic assault investigation" involving the pair with allegations "made in both directions." Paul also alleged wrongdoing on Mortensen's part in the 2023 case.
During a press dinner Monday night, Paul was asked about the news, to which she said: "Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time. Just the timing is hard, and it's a big deal. I feel like every premiere that I've experienced, I've never enjoyed fully, so this is another one. … It's extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today."
This is not the first time that the Bachelor franchise has been mired in scandal. In fact, it's far from it. That said, none of the previous scandals has resulted in an entire season of the show being scrapped just days before its premiere date.
ABC could be out tens of millions of dollars if it can't find a way to salvage "The Bachelorette," according to sources familiar with the show (and the current predicament it finds itself in). That includes license fees to Warner Bros. Unscripted TV, marketing dollars and other loss of revenue.
The last-minute pre-emption causes a host of problems — especially because it doesn't own the show, with comes from Warner Bros. TV Group. Warner Bros. distributes the show internationally to outlets like Rogers' Citytv in Canada, so it wasn't clear on Thursday if "The Bachelorette" might still wind up on TV somewhere. (While ABC had immediately scrubbed Paul and "The Bachelorette" from its website by Thursday afternoon, it still appeared on the Citytv+ website, for example.)
According to insiders, Warner Bros. execs are taking a wait-and-see approach to what is happening, while staying in contact with ABC. (The studio gets paid the show's license fee regardless of whether the show ever airs.)
Sources at the studio were shocked by the video, having found out about it at the same time ABC did on Thursday morning. And yet, some can't say they were surprised by the sudden turn of events. According to sources, Warner Bros. had concerns with casting Paul, given her well-known history of domestic violence — after all, it's documented at the very start of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives."
ABC is expected to air reruns of American Idol in its place on Sunday.
ABC, in crisis mode after yanking "The Bachelorette" Season 22 premiere from its schedule amid domestic violence investigations involving star Taylor Frankie Paul, moved quickly to delete as much promotional material for the show as it could from its own website.
Within hours of ABC's announcement, the network had removed the Season 22 trailer (captioned "Dare we say… the most dramatic season of 'The Bachelorette' yet?"); Paul's bio and the rest of cast list; and an article plugging "The Bachelorette: Before the First Rose" special preview episode that aired on ABC after the Oscars on March 15. (For now, that episode is still available on abc.com and Hulu; it's set to expire on Monday, March 23, according to the info on Hulu.)
However, as of Variety's writing, the show's trailer and dozens of other video clips and photos remained live on internet platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
On YouTube, the Bachelor Nation on ABC channel has a playlist of 33 videos, including the trailer (with more than 1.1 million views). The Bachelorette account on TikTok also still features videos promoting Season 22. On Instagram and Facebook, ABC's official accounts for "The Bachelorette" on Thursday reminded fans that Season 22 was scheduled to premiere on March 22.
"Attention, Bachelor Nation: #TheBachelorette is now on Sundays! Don't miss the season premiere this Sunday on ABC. Stream on Hulu!" Those posts went live at 11 a.m. Eastern, just under five hours before ABC said it would no longer premiere "The Bachelorette" S22 on Sunday.
As of Friday morning, the tune-in posts were still active, along with dozens of photos and video clips for Season 22.
While we'll never see any of Taylor's bachelors receive a rose from her, there's still a chance that some of them could be chosen for Bachelor in Paradise. Apparently, ABC held an emergency virtual meeting yesterday. All 22 doomed Bachelorette contestants were invited to a Zoom meeting, where production offered up consolation prizes.
THE LATEST...
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Paul could be required to return her compensation for Season 22 of “The Bachelorette” after ABC pulled the show in response to a newly surfaced video that appears to show alleged domestic violence. Lawyer Ashlee Difuntorum of Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir LLP exclusively spoke with Page Six about the legal repercussions the “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star could be facing amid the scandal. “When working with a public person for any project, companies almost always include a morality clause in the contract,” Difuntorum shared. This type of clause is usually “very broad” and states that the person cannot do anything to “reflect negatively on the company,” the attorney explained. “I would think Taylor Frankie Paul’s contracts tied to ‘The Bachelorette’ would include this type of clause, and also that the clause covers this situation,” Difuntorum said. The reality TV star’s contract also likely stated that if she were to breach the morality clause, then she wouldn’t be owed her promised paycheck, or a portion of what she was supposed to be paid for the gig.
Deadline
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People
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Reality TV World
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Entertainment Weekly
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Reality Tea
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Reality TV World
E!
Reality Tea
Page Six |
posted 3/23/2026 |
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Game Show Network
America Says... Welcome Back
GSN Reboots Classic Original Series
From Game Show Network PR
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It began with a teaser on a set in Los Angeles. John Michael Higgins sat in a chair and said... "Did you miss me?" Game Show Network did... and they're doing something about it, bringing back America Says for another run.
Billed as a new season, America Says hosted by Higgins is one of Game Show Network's most popular shows. It's where contestants try to guess the top answers that America have answered to fill-in-the-blank survey questions "covering every topic under the sun." Teams of four compete, and the team with the most points at the end of regular play, goes on to the bonus for $15,000.
Created & produced by Dave Noll & Cleve Keller & originally launched by Game Show Enterprises in 2018 and running for five seasons, America Says will return to the schedule with new episodes in April.
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OS/LA Productions
The Futon Critic |
posted 3/23/2026 |
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More on "The American Idol Podcast"
Danielle Fisher to Host Starting April 1
From Variety |
“American Idol” is expanding Season 24 with a new companion podcast. “‘American Idol’ Official Podcast” will be hosted by Danielle Fishel and will “dive deeper into America’s most iconic music competition series, exploring the performances everyone’s talking about, and offering exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and expert analysis of the judges’ critiques.”
The podcast will premiere on Wednesday, April 1, on Disney+, Hulu, and other podcast platforms, following the live shows, which kick off Monday, March 30.
VAriety |
posted 3/23/2026 |
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Non M'ama...
Netflix Gives "Too Hot to Handle Italy" a Second Season
From the Futon Critic |
Lana is ready to fire up again - and with her, the steamy passions of a new season of TOO HOT TO HANDLE: Italy, the Italian adaptation of the boldest format ever, produced by Fremantle and coming soon on Netflix.
A special guest will guide this second season: SELVAGGIA LUCARELLI will be the special guest who kicks off a journey through temptations and twists, where contestants will have to try to control their impulses to make it to the end.
A group of incredibly hot singles find themselves in a dream location, but to win the jackpot there's one condition: no sex. Will they be able to resist or will they give in to desire?
The Futon Critic |
posted 3/23/2026 |
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Monday Lightning Round
... or "The Blotter" |
- James McCoy Taylor arrested for assault, unlawful restraint... again (People) (TRIGGER WARNING: DV)
- AGT's Jourdan Blue arrested for DWI (TMZ)
- Bill Cosby loses SA case to the tune of $19 million (Variety)
- Madison CAwthorn says "Bachelorette" never was Brad LEdford left him to die in a fiery crash. Brad Ledford begs to differ (Reality Tea)
- William Shatner spends his 95th birthday filming a spot for PETA (TV Insider)
- Greg Davies to host BAFTA TV Awards (Deadline)
- A FEW GOOD MINUTES with Colin Stough (TV Insider)
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posted 3/23/2026 |
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Getty images
NICHOLAS BRENDON: 1971-2026
"Buffy" Actor Played "Hollywood Squares"
From Deadline |
Nicholas Brendon, known for being part of the Scooby gang on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has died. He was 54. A former castmate confirmed the news to Deadline. Brendon’s family issued a statement saying that the actor had died on Friday, March 20, “in his sleep of natural causes.”
“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes,” read a statement from Brendon’s family on his Instagram. “Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor, and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create.”
The statement continued, “Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was. While it’s no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis, and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing. Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.”
Brendon was a series regular on Buffy the Vampire Slayer opposite Sarah Michelle Gellar. The actor played Xander Harris across the show’s seven seasons on The WB and UPN.
Following the end of Buffy in 2003, Brendon went on to star in Kitchen Confidential as pastry chef Seth Richman alongside Bradley Cooper and Jaime King. He would go on to have a recurring role in Criminal Minds, Private Practice, and Faking It. 00:02 02:19 ADVERTISEMENT
In film, Brendon starred in the 2000s comedy horror film Psycho Beach Party alongside Lauren Ambrose. Other films he starred in included Demon Island (2002), Unholy (2007), Blood on the Highway (2008), Big Gay Love (2013), and Coherence (2013), to name a few.
In game shows, Brendon was on two week's worth of Hollywood Squares in 2001.
Deadline
Deadline
TV Line
CNN
BBC News
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posted 3/21/2026 |
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24 in 24: Day 2
Catch It on Food Network April 26
From the Futon Critic |
24 in 24: Last Chef Standing is back this spring with a brand-new season of the food world's most intense and ambitious competition. Shot in real time and hosted by Michael Symon and Esther Choi, the series is part culinary marathon and part social experiment, with 24 talented and fearless chefs taking on 24 challenges over the course of 24 straight hours. From strategy and speed to precision and elevation, the challenges are divided into eight shifts that reflect the intensity of a chef's daily life. This season's culinary murderer's row of competitors include Michelin-starred chefs, James Beard Award nominees and Food Network favorites who all must survive unexpected twists and turns while battling fatigue and each other to win $100,000 - the biggest prize in the show's history. 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing premieres Sunday, April 26th at 8pm ET/PT on Food Network and streams the next day on HBO Max and discovery+.
"Life as a chef means giving your mind, body and soul to your craft 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and this competition really captures that level of intensity and unpredictability," said Betsy Ayala, Head of Content, Food, Warner Bros. Discovery. "This season we've added blind judging, reimagined shift themes and endless surprises that will leave our audience on the edge of their seats."
The 24 chefs competing are: Robyn Almodovar, Avishar Barua, Chris Brown, Dawn Burrell, Monique Cadavona, Sam Fore, Lex Grant, Trimell Hawkins, Anthony Iracane, Maryam Ishtiaq, Joe Isidori, Brian Malarkey, Maria Mazon, Christina Miros, Shota Nakajima, Olivia Ostrow, Viet Pham, Michele Ragussis, Alex Stupak, Lee Anne Wong, Molly Yeh, Zac Young, Ara Zada and Antonello Zito.
The Futon Critic
Variety |
posted 3/20/2026 |
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"Naked and Afraid" Goes Global
Discovery Spins Off Again
From Deadline |
The Discovery Channel has set its plans for 2026 and it includes a new spinoff of long-running hit Naked and Afraid.
The WBD-owned cable network has greenlit a number of new shows including a new Alcatraz investigation and a series fronted by TikTok star Michael McWhorter.
The big news is Naked and Afraid: Global Showdown (w/t). It is the eighth spinoff of the franchise, which premiered in 2013. It will feature survivalists from all over the world including Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and the United States, representing their homelands in a 40-day primitive bushcraft competition. Paired with a partner, their skills, toughness and teamwork will be tested as they compete for national pride and the largest cash prize in franchise history.
Deadline |
posted 3/20/2026 |
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CHUCK NORRIS: 1940-2026
"Walker, Texas Ranger" Star Was on "Price", "Contender"
From Deadline |
Chuck Norris, who turned a talent and expertise in the martial arts into a hugely successful Hollywood career that including his long-running signature series Walker, Texas Ranger, died Thursday. He was 86. His death was announced by his family on Instagram. Norris was hospitalized on Thursday in Hawaii.
"It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning," the family posted today. "While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.
"To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength," the statement continues. "To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family. He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives."
Born Carlos Ray Norris on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma, Norris served in the U.S. Air Force as a young man before dedicating himself to training in martial arts. During that time, he developed a friendship with martial arts icon Bruce Lee and moved to Hollywood to train film stars in combat. He later moved in front of the camera and began one of the great action movie star careers.
Aside from a 1970 appearance on the TV dramedy Room 222, Norris' acting career initially focused on the big screen, with 1972's The Way of the Dragon with Lee considered his breakthrough. The pic's climactic fight scene between Norris' Colt and Lee's Tang in Rome's Colosseum is considered a genre classic.
The following years and decades would see his feature film credits grow, with entries including Breaker! Breaker! (1978), Good Guys Wear Black (1978), The Octagon (1980), An Eye for an Eye (1981), Lone Wolf McQuade (1983), Code of Silence (1985), Invasion U.S.A. (1985), The Delta Force (1986), Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990) and the 1984-88 Missing in Action trilogy in which he played a Vietnam-era American prisoner of war who returns to that country to rescue other POWs.
Although many of Norris' films, and his often wooden acting style, weren't critical favorites, he developed a strong fan base that grew from a cult following impressed by his martial arts skills to millions of people thrilled with his action stories.
His signature role came in 1993 when CBS began airing Walker, Texas Ranger, an action series inspired by Norris' Lone Wolf McQuade. In the series, he played Texas Ranger Sgt. Cordell Walker, ex-Marine and Vietnam vet raised on a Cherokee reservation after his parents were murdered. With a combination of martial arts moves and Cherokee hunting skills, Walker was a crime-solving crusader for justice, moral values and a good butt-kicking. The hit series ran for nine seasons, wrapping up in 2001, and spawned both a standalone TV reunion movie (Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire in 2005) and a four-season 2021 CW reboot starring Jared Padalecki.
He parlayed his stature into appearances on "The Contender" and "The Price Is Right $1,000,000 Spectacular".
As with many of his projects, Norris also served as a writer and producer on his series. His stuntman-brother Aaron was a director on the show. Although known for his earnest and usually stoic performance style and screen persona, Norris occasionally let fans know he was in on all the jokes about his strongman reputation, most notably when he played himself in the 2004 comedy Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. In 2012, he played a mercenary in star-laden The Expendables 2.
Still, he took his place in show business and the world at large with considerable intent. In his 1988 memoir The Secret of Inner Strength: My Story, he wrote that his fans "want and need someone to identify with, a man who is self-reliant, stands on his own two feet, and is not afraid to face adversity." He added, "They want to believe in me, just as I believed in John Wayne when I was a boy."
Norris received a number of black belts for his martial arts prowess, including taekwondo, judo, jiu-jitsu and others. He won the Professional Middleweight Karate championship in 1968, a title he'd hold for six consecutive years, and was named Black Belt magazine's Fighter of the Year in 1969.
Norris got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989 and was among the inaugural class of the Martial Arts History Hall of Fame in 1999.
Norris is survived by wife Gena O'Kelley; children Mike, Eric, Dina, Danilee and Dakota; brother Aaron Norris; and numerous grandchildren.
Deadline
Deadline
TV Line
Variety
Variety
Variety
The Hollywood Reporter
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posted 3/20/2026 |
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Instagram
JORDAN WRIGHT: 1992-2026
"TOWIE" Star Was on "Ex on the Beach"
From Deadline |
Jordan Wright, a former ITV reality star who appeared on The Only Way Is Essex and MTV's Ex on the Beach, has died. He was 33.
Wright died in Thailand, and his death was confirmed by ITV and the local foreign office. Local reports said he was found dead March 14 in a concrete drainage system on the Thai island of Phuket. He was discovered by a worker face-down in stagnant water, according to the reports.
Police were called and are looking into what happened, reports said, with circumstances around Wright's death remaining unclear. A hotel key card reportedly was discovered in his pocket.
"Everyone at TOWIE sends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jordan Wright at this very sad time," a spokesman for The Only Way Is Essex told Deadline.
Wright appeared on ITV reality show The Only Way Is Essex toward the end of last decade. The reality series follows a group of people in the town of Brentwood in Essex and has been airing for more than 15 years.
Wright made his TV debut the year before in 2017 on MTV's Ex on the Beach. He briefly dated Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattinson.
Wright stopped making TV in the 2020s, and his social media appeared to indicate that he moved to Thailand several weeks ago.
Deadline
Entertainment Weekly
Reality Tea
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posted 3/20/2026 |
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Picture a Renewal
BBC One Reups for Season 4
From Televisual |
Objective Entertainment has secured a fourth and expanded run of Alan Carr's Picture Slam. Produced alongside OMG Scotland the new series will consist of 9×45 minute episodes, including two celebrity episodes and a celebrity Christmas special.
Alan Carr's Picture Slam has ranked in the top ten quiz shows across all UK channels from January 2023 to date. Over its three series tenure the program has consistently exceeded three million viewers and has grown year on year, with the most recent series, which aired in November 2025, winning the slot for Adults 16-34 and Adults 35-54 across all UK channels for BBC One.
The fourth series will welcome celebrity guests for the first time.
Neale Simpson, MD Objective Entertainment says: "Picture Slam is such a joy to make. Audiences adore Alan and the mischief he brings to the addictive and our inventively visual play-along games."
Alan Carr says: "I am excited to return for another series of Picture Slam and to spice things up with brand new Celebrity episodes. Being part of this show is always a blast whether you're in the studio or playing along at home – let's get picture slamming!"
Picture Slam ('9×45') is made by Objective Entertainment, part of All3Media's Objective Media Group and was commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC. The Executive Producers are Julie Kelling, Neale Simpson and Ben Shephard for Objective Entertainment and Toby Stevens for OMG Scotland. Chris Hulme is the Series Producer. The Executive Producer for the BBC is Neil McCallum.
The series will be distributed by All3media international, who also handle format rights.
Televisual
The Mirror
Edinburgh Live
The Hollywood Reporter
Entertainment Weekly
Deadline |
posted 3/20/2026 |
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Nexstar/Tegna Merger Clears Hurdle
Eight State AGs, DirecTV Files Lawsuit
From Variety |
Nexstar Media Group said it "has closed its acquisition" of Tegna in a $6.2 billion deal that would following approval of the transaction from the FCC and the Department of Justice.
The deal would augment Nexstar, already the biggest TV station group in the U.S., with Tegna's footprint — resulting in a company with 259 full-power stations (after divesting six), variously affiliated with networks including ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. While the deal will give the combined company reach across 80% of U.S. TV households, it will own less than 15% of the 1,777 local TV stations in the country.
Nexstar's announcement comes after eight state attorneys general and DirecTV filed federal lawsuits seeking to block the Tegna takeover, which both alleged that the merger will increase prices for consumers and harm the production of local news.
A day after Nexstar said that it had closed its deal to buy Tegna, creating a broadcasting giant, California and seven other states filed an emergency motion to stop it. The motion for a temporary restraining order was filed Friday in Sacramento, seeking court action to halt integration and consolidation of the two companies.
In approving the deal, the FCC granted the companies a waiver of its ownership-cap rule that prohibits any local station owner from reaching more than 39% of U.S. households. Nexstar has committed to divesting six stations across six different markets as well as "commitments that go to affordability and localism," per the FCC.
Variety
Variety
Cordcutters News
The Hollywood Reporter
Entertainment Weekly
Deadline |
posted 3/20/2026 |
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Happy Friday Lightning Round
... or "Broken Hart" |
- Kevin Hart gets roasted for Netflix (The Futon Critic)
- Cashel Barrett to spend the next couple of months in the Greybar Hotel (People) (TRIGGER WARNING: DV)
- A FEW GOOD MINUTES with Craig Ferguson (WGN-TV Chicago)
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posted 3/20/2026 |
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"Funny AF" Adds Judges
Catch It on Netflix April 20
From the Futon Critic |
Netflix's new comedy competition series, Funny AF with Kevin Hart, adds a line-up of comedy legends including Keegan-Michael Key, Tom Segura, Kumail Nanjiani, Chelsea Handler and Nikki Glaser as special guest judges in Episodes 1-6.
Netflix and global superstar Kevin Hart are on a mission to crown the next big name in stand-up with Funny AF premiering on April 20, 2026. The winner will be awarded with their very own Netflix Stand-Up Special.
New episodes will be released over the course of 3-weeks culminating with the semi-final and finale LIVE on Netflix at 6PM PT / 9 PM ET on May 4th and May 5th, respectively. Viewers around the world will be able to vote in real-time during the live shows for their favorite stand-up comedian. The winner will be announced live in-show on May 5th.
- Week 1 (4/20/2026): Episodes 1-4
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Week 2 (4/27/2026): Episodes 5-6
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Week 3 (5/4/2026 & 5/5/2026): Episode 7 (Semi-Final) & Episode 8 (Finale)
The May 4th and May 5th live shows will take place during the Netflix is a Joke Fest.
Kevin Hart knows what it takes to turn a mic and a dream into comedy superstardom. In Funny AF, he's searching for the next comedian ready to follow that path. In this uncensored comedy competition, rising stand-ups from across the country step into the spotlight hoping to make the same leap Kevin once did from grinding it out in small clubs to headlining their own specials. Along the way, Kevin and a circle of comedy heavyweights will decide who progresses in the competition, offering a behind-the-curtain look at the pressure, triumphs and occasional bombs that shape a career in stand-up. The mission is simple: find the next great voice in comedy with the guts, perspective, and punchlines to become the next household name. The competition builds to live final rounds where a global vote will determine the ultimate winner.
"Funny AF with Kevin Hart" is a production of Hartbeat and Alfred Street Industries, run by Bill Dixon, Liz Cook, San Heng, and Jason Raff. Executive Producers are Kevin Hart; Jane Lipsitz, Dan Cutforth, Nan Strait and Dan Volpe (for Alfred Street Industries); Luke Kelly-Clyne, Meghan Hoffman and Jeff Clanagan (for Hartbeat), and Jenny Groom.
The Futon Critic |
posted 3/19/2026 |
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MGM Amazon
Gladiators READY!
Catch It on Prime Video April 15
From Deadline
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Amazon is opening the Atlasphere. The streamer has revealed the premiere date for its reboot of American Gladiators.
The physical competition series, which is hosted by WWE and Real World alum Mike "The Miz" Mizanin and his partner from "Cannonball" Rocsi Diaz, will launch on April 17.
The streamer will premiere with its first three episodes with three more episodes streaming on April 24 and the final four episodes launching on May 1. It comes nearly two years after Amazon ordered the reboot of the iconic format, which is considered one of the first reality shows.
American Gladiators originally launched in syndication and aired weekly between 1989 and 1996. The series was created by Johnny C. Ferraro after he and Dan Carr came up with the original concept for the competition event.
Ferraro is creator and exec producer of the reboot. Daniel Calin, who has worked on Iron Chef and Nailed It!, serves as showrunner and will exec produce alongside Barry Poznick, who recently exited Amazon MGM Studios but will continue to exec produce a number of shows. Susan Janis-Mashayekhi, Sarah Happel Jackson and Adam Cooper serve as co-executive producers and Ramy Romany directs. Amazon MGM Studios produces.
The new version will feature 16 new American Gladiators as well as classic events such as Joust, Powerball, Hang Tough, and The Wall as well as new events such as The Ring and Collision.
Contestants will compete for the $100,000 prize and earn the title of American Gladiator Champion.
Gladiators became a big hit in the UK with a reboot on the BBC, where it has been renewed for a fourth season.
Deadline
The Futon Critic
TV Insider
Variety |
posted 3/18/2026 |
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More on "Million Dollar Secret" Season 2
Catch It on Netflix April 15
From Variety |
"Million Dollar Secret," Netflix's reality competition series hosted by Peter Serafinowicz, will return for Season 2 on April 15 with three new episodes.
The following three episodes of the eight-episode season will be released on April 22, and the final two on April 29.
In the show, 14 contestants are brought to a glamorous lakeside estate and each given a mysterious box. Thirteen of the boxes are empty, but one contains $1 million. The lucky player can keep the money as long as they can keep their identity a secret.
Per Netflix, "This season, the stakes are higher than ever as players face trickier agendas, grueling challenges and navigate the ever-changing game of deception. Do they have what it takes to keep their Million Dollar Secret?"
Charles Wachter serves as showrunner of the series, which is executive produced by Brent Montgomery, Glenn Hugill, Will Nothacker and Russ Friedman. The production company is Wheelhouse Studios.
"Season 2 of 'Million Dollar Secret' is more twisted than ever. The secret tasks are pulled off with breathtaking audacity and the millionaire has never been more dangerous. The whole season is completely addictive," Hugill said in a statement. "And then there's Peter Serafinowicz, who somehow manages to make players feel completely safe and absolutely doomed with the same raised eyebrow. I genuinely don't think there's a better host alive."
"Million Dollar Secret" debuted on Netflix in March 2025. The first season was filmed in British Columbia, Canada, and featured 12 contestants. The winner was a Los Angeles-based cook who worked at In-N-Out Burger.
Variety
The Futon Critic |
posted 3/18/2026 |
 |
Wednesday Lightning Round
... or "Curb Appeal" |
- FIRST LOOK: Rock the Block (HGTV, April 13) (TV Insider), Dirty Rotten Scandals: The Price Is Right (E!, tonight) (People)
- Taylor Frankie Paul (Deadline), her baby daddy Dakota (Entertainment Weekly) trade barbs at the premiere (Reality Tea) (TRIGGER WARNING: DV)
- Ken Jennings and his seven favorite TV shows (Television Academy)
- Love Is Blind season 10 contestant defends introducing her daughter to her partner (Reality Tea)
- Prediction markets (read: GAMBLING) in this establishment! Bettors may be benefitting from inside Survivor intel (The New York Times)
- Netflix vows to try live competitions again after Star Search failed to hit (Deadline)
- Jimmy Kimmel's "Schooled!" to benefit from California tax breaks (Deadline)
- MeTV's "Collector's Call" season 7 to feature game show memorabilia (Remind)
- Alexis Gaube returns to the old haunts (TV Insider)
- Trista & Ryan Sutter look back on 23 years (TV Insider)
- A FEW GOOD MINUTES with Rob Rausch (Reality Tea)
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posted 3/18/2026 |
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